With the main ceremony less than six weeks away, The BRIT Awards 2013 with MasterCard announced the full list of nominations today during a prestigious launch event at the Savoy Hotel, London. British bands Mumford & Sons, Alt J and singer songwriter Emeli Sande lead the way with three nominations each.

The 2013 nominations reflect an incredibly exciting year in British music, both at home and abroad, featuring a list of unique and talented artists who are now in the running for a highly coveted BRITs statue, designed this year by Damien Hirst. The winners will be announced at The BRIT Awards 2013 with MasterCard, which will be held at The O2 Arena in London on Wednesday 20th February and broadcast live, exclusively on ITV1.

Topping the list of nominations is Emeli Sande who, after winning the 2012 Critics' Choice Award, appears in three categories: British Female Solo Artist, British Single and MasterCard British Album of The Year.

British folk rock band Mumford & Sons, who won the 2011 MasterCard British Album of the Year Award, have been nominated for British Group, British Live Act and MasterCard British Album Of The Year, whilst Alt J are nominated for British Breakthrough Act, British Group and MasterCard Album Of The Year.

The Rolling Stones will face fierce competition in the reinstated British Live Act category against Coldplay, Muse, Mumford & Sons and The Vaccines. The last time the legendary British band were nominated was in 1996 and they are the only act to be nominated in both this year's awards and at the first BRIT Awards in 1977.

The British Female Solo category will see double nominees Jessie Ware and Paloma Faith go up against Emeli Sande and the late great Amy Winehouse, whose album 'Lioness: Hidden Treasures' was released on December 2nd 2011 and went to Number 1 in the Official UK Album Chart.

International superstar Rihanna, who already owns a Vivienne Westwood and Sir Peter Blake BRIT statue from 2011 and 2012 respectively, could be set to increase her collection of British art if she takes home her third International Female Award in a row, after being nominated in the category with Alicia Keys, Cat Power, Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift. Damien Hirst has become the third British creative to put his unique stamp on the iconic BRITs trophy.

As previously announced, the BRIT Awards will recognise War Child's incredible work by honouring them with the first Special Recognition Award, which will be presented during the Awards ceremony on Wednesday 20th February.

The brand new BRITs Global Success Award, which highlights the phenomenal achievement British artists have had internationally in 2012, will also be presented at this year's Awards ceremony. The recipient will be the act with the highest international sales during the 2012 calendar year. These figures exclude UK sales.

The nominations were officially revealed by Nick Grimshaw at the Savoy Hotel in London tonight. The evening featured performances from Jessie Ware and the winner of the 2013 Critics' Choice Award, Tom Odell. Tom was presented with his 2013 Critics' Choice Award by the 2012 winner, Emeli Sande.

A number of artists who will be performing at the BRIT Awards were also announced at the Savoy, namely Muse, Robbie Williams, Emeli Sande, Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard and One Direction. Further announcements about performers will be made in the coming weeks.

Wednesday 20th February 2013 at The O2 Arena, London Exclusively broadcast live on ITV 1 - Presented by James Corden@BRITAwards #BRITs2013

The BRIT Awards 2013:

British Breakthrough act Top 5 selected by Voting Academy. Winner identified by public vote promoted by brits.co.uk and BBC Radio 1.

Special Recognition Award War Childcritics' choice In association with War Child. Identified by a panel made up of media music critics. Tom Odell Columbia / Sony Music (Winner) AlunaGeorge Island / Universal Music Laura Mvula RCA / Sony Music